He’s an established European star with a catchy moniker. He wants out of his contract. And he’s drawn attention from the NBA this spring.
He’s also property of the Wizards.
But whether or not Juan Carlos Navarro ends up in Washington remains uncertain. Or if he even ends up in the NBA.
Navarro, who plays for FC Barcelona and was named the most valuable player in Spain’s top league, told reporters after the EuroLeague semifinals last week that, “It’s now or never,” when it comes to the NBA.
“The NBA is a door that I don’t shut,” said Navarro, who turned 26 on Tuesday and is nicknamed “La Bomba” for his three-point shooting proficiency.
The 6-foot-4 Navarro is considered a shooting guard, one who constantly runs off screens and is adept from the perimeter and off the dribble.
NBA observers are split on Navarro’s potential impact; he’s often viewed as being too skinny to help as a shooting guard and a poor defensive player. He has played point guard in the past.
If Navarro wanted to test the NBA, even if the Wizards don’t want him, he could be traded, giving them one more way to improve this offseason.
The Wizards have talked with one of his agents, Darren Weiner, since Navarro made those comments. But they have remained in contact with his representatives since drafting him in the second round in 2002. And they’ve monitored his play each year.
Here’s the problem: Navarro is under contract with FC Barcelona through 2009 and his contract contains a buyout clause for reportedly around $12 million. An NBA team can only pay up to $500,000 of that buyout, leaving the rest up to the player.
“I’m in touch with his agent from time to time and we know his situation,” Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld said. “We know he had an outstanding year in Europe, but he is under contract. But there’s no doubt he’s an outstanding player, one of the better players in the EuroLeague. He’s been one of the best players the last two or three years for one of the best teams.”
FC Barcelona General Manager Zoran Savic hasreportedly said he would not lower the buyout figure.
“I hope that after so many years of giving everything for this team, [Barcelona] will help me should I finally decide to leave,” said Navarro, who has played for the team since 1997. “I am going to try and go to the NBA.”
European market
» Navarro averaged 25.2 points per game at last summer’s Eurobasket championships, second only to Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki. Navarro also made 47.2 percent of his field goal attempts.
» Other Spaniards who have made the jump to the NBA include Memphis’ Pau Gasol and Toronto’s Jose Manuel Calderon. Ex-Maryland guard and Lithuanian native Sarunas Jasikevicius starred in the EuroLeague before joining Indiana this season.
» Navarro signed a three-year extension with Barcelona after last season, making it harder for him to come to the NBA. The Wizards have his rights indefinitely.
